Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-11-16
GOV OGLESRY

smile. He walked firmly over
the drop, guided by the grasp
of deputy, to the furthest
edge Of the gallows. Following closely
close enough to touch Spies STROUD had
his hand not been pinioned under the
white muslin-came Fischer. His
countenance had a peculiar glisten to-
tally unlike the ashiness of Engel's heav-
ing features, and in strange contrast
with the dead lack of color in the
pinched ineaments OF Parsons. The
once jaunty, vivacious Texan came last,
a withered old man.
He had aged twenty years since the
day and hour scarce twelve months be-
fore when he tripped lightly into the
court before Judge Gary and flippantly
declared that he was ready to be tried
at once for his life. The moment his feet
touched the scaffold. Parsons seemed to
completely lose his identity and to feel
that his spirit was no longer part of his
body He had wrought himself to an
ecstacy of solemn self-glorihca1on.
Only he-the one American-seemed
to realize to the full that he must die in
a mannerto impress if possible, on all
future generations, the thought
that he was martyr. No tragedian that
has paced the stage in America ever
made a more marvellous presentation
of a self-chosen part, perfect in every
detail. The upward turn of his eyes,
his distant, PARKWAY look, and above all
the attitude of apparent complete resig-
nation that every fold of the awkward
shroud only served to make more dis
tinct was by far the most striking feat
ure of the entire galloNs picture.
The squat form of Engel, with stupid,
wide-iawed face, made a hideous con-
trast to Parsons assumption of the halo
ola martyr Fischer was head and shout
uers taller than the other three, making
his only occasional looks of too evident
braVadO more noticeable than they
otherwise might be. at sore advantage
compared with the steady GOODNESS of
Spies. The latter's exhibition of quiet,
thorough nerve, far surpassed as
wonder the demeanor of any of his
comrades.
The four burly deputies standing to
the rear OF the four condemned men be-
gan without delay to adjust the ropes,
Spies moose being the one first placed.
He did not appear to regard 1t Of any
more consequence than new linen col
lar. The knot was slipped down the cord,
close against his neck. Spies did not
show tremor, but when the same pro-
cess was being carried out with Fischer,
turned and quietly whispered to the
bailif some suggestion concerning the
rope. His occasional ardor was quite
noticeably lessened when he .elt the
hempen strand, and Engel bit his under
lip hard when his turn came. Just
then DR.. Murphy, young phy-
stefan standing back of Engel,
ear. Incredible as it may seem the low
proved Anarchist laughed outright with
the rope around his neck, and while an
other was being fastened on Parsons by
his side. But the grotesque laugh
stopped in single instant, and Parsons,
meekly as a SAINT cast his eyes upward
at the dangling line above him.
Before the four Anarchists had an
linking of what was to be done, the white
caps were deity slipped upon their
heads and drawn quickly down to the
necks, shutting off the view of each as
completely and with less warning than
does the camera cloth of photog-
rapher.
August Spies was the first of the four
doomed men to make use of his
wits while he could. In a
tone Of intense bitterness of
spirit, he, the man who wrote the
infamous Revenge Circular" Kissed
out between his tightly clenched teeth:
'.'There will come time when our 81
lence Will be more powerful than the
voices they are strangling to death"
The last syllable of Spies concluding
words, hoarse with suppressed passion,
had not reached an end when Engel,
raising his voice, wildly cried: "Hurrah
for Anarchy"
Fischer caught the fire of the utter
ance and still more loudly exclaimed,
''Hurrah for Anarchy" adding: "This
is the happiest moment of my life.''
There was silence like the grave
broken abruptly by the slow measured
intonations of Parsons, like white
robed priest before the altar of sacri-
fice-not as dying request,
but rather like command
or warning. he sounded forth: "May 1
be allowed to speak ?" Then with slow
entreaty came: Twill you let me speak,
Sheriff Matson ?" There was another
agonizing pause. Muffied through the
shroud broke out in unnatural accents:
Let the voice of the people be heard"
crash as of falling house thun-
dered through the corridors. The slen-
der ropes were taut. In full view of